Method of use for easy set-up pole and support system

ABSTRACT

A method for installing a means capable of removably securing a pole, comprising installing a first support, installing a second support, inserting said pole into said first support, and thereafter, inserting said pole into said second support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date of theprior-filed provisional application No. 60/513,337, filed on Oct. 23,2003. The present application is a divisional application of applicationSer. No. 10/977,686, filed on Feb. 15, 2005.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The application relates generally to a system for the erection of,securing of, and removal of a pole such as flagpole.

BACKGROUND

Erecting a sturdy removable pole, such as a flagpole, can be cumbersome,expensive or even dangerous in some situations. First, removable polescan be unstable and a ladder or the like may be required for assemblypurposes depending on the intended elevation of the pole. A permanentlymounted pole is an option, but in situations where the pole must befrequently removed a permanently mounted pole is not practical. Second,removable poles must either be secured at two locations, i.e., the endsof the pole and/or middle span, or in the alternative, the removablepole must be sturdy enough to stand from a single point connection ofsome type. A sturdy single point connection type pole is heavy, costlyand time consuming to put up and take down. The pole supported at twolocations usually requires that the pole be clamped and unclamped everytime it is assembled.

Hence from the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there is a need tobe able to erect and remove a pole, such as a flagpole, without using aladder and the like, and without using clamps and the like.

SUMMARY

The present application relates to an assembly for securing a polecomprising a first support for receiving a portion of the pole, thefirst support comprising a tubular member and a mounting means forsecuring said first support to a surface; and a second support forreceiving a different portion of the pole, said second supportcomprising a tubular member and a mounting means for securing saidsecond support to a surface, said second support being alignedlongitudinally with the first support; wherein the tubular member of thefirst support comprises an open angled slot comprising a width greaterthan the outer diameter of the pole; and to methods for employing theassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a twist member.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flagpole inserted in a twist member at a 35° angle.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flagpole inserted in a twist member at a 75° angle.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flagpole inserted longitudinally in a twist member.

FIG. 5 a illustrates a side view of a twist member.

FIG. 5 b illustrates a top view of a twist member.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a socket member.

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a flagpole and a twist member/socket memberassembly in vertical alignment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a twist member/socket member assemblysecured in vertical alignment to a motor home.

FIG. 9 illustrates a first step for inserting a flagpole into avertically aligned twist member/socket member assembly, including theflagpole being inserted into the twist member at a 35° angle.

FIG. 10 illustrates a second step for inserting a flagpole into avertically aligned twist member/socket member assembly, includingdirecting the flagpole longitudinally through the twist member whilealso directing a lower end of the flagpole toward the socket member.

FIG. 11 illustrates a third step for inserting a flagpole into avertically aligned twist member/socket member assembly, includingdirecting the flagpole vertically toward the socket member.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flagpole in an installed position within avertically aligned twist member/socket member assembly.

FIG. 13 illustrates another view of a flagpole installed within a twistmember/socket member assembly.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front perspective view of a mounting meansincluding a channel clamp, multi-positional mounting bracket attachedthereto, and a socket member attached to the mounting bracket.

FIG. 15 illustrates a rear perspective view of a mounting meansincluding a channel clamp, multi-positional mounting bracket attachedthereto, and a socket member attached to the mounting bracket.

FIG. 16 illustrates a partially exploded rear perspective view of amounting means including positional teeth of a multi-positional mountingbracket.

FIG. 17 illustrates a rear perspective view of a mounting meansincluding an adjustable channel clamp.

FIG. 18 illustrates a rear perspective view of a mounting meansincluding detail of positional teach of a multi-positional mountingbracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

It has been found that an assembly comprising a first support and asecond support can be configured to receive and secure a pole, such as aflagpole, in a non-horizontal position at a predetermined height withoutthe necessity of a fastener to secure the pole and without the necessityof a ladder or the like to install the pole. Heretofore, such adesirable achievement has not been considered possible, and accordingly,the apparatus, system and method of this application measure up to thedignity of patentability and therefore represents a patentable concept.

In one aspect, the present application provides an assembly forreceiving and securing a flagpole at an elevation equal to or greaterthan the height of a user.

In another aspect, the present application provides a method employingan assembly for removing a flagpole from a secured position at anelevation equal to or greater than the height of a user.

In another aspect, the present application provides an assembly forsecuring a pole in a vertical orientation without the necessity ofclamps or other fastening means.

In another aspect, the present application provides an assembly forsecuring a pole in a vertical orientation, the assembly comprising atleast two parts in vertical alignment wherein the uppermost part of theassembly is operationally configured to (1) receive the pole, and (2)direct the pole underneath the upper most part toward the lower mostpart of the assembly to align with the lower most part.

In another aspect, the present application provides a method ofinstalling a pole to a secured position and removing a flagpole from asecured position by maneuvering the flagpole through a verticallyaligned assembly secured at an elevation higher than the user installingthe pole.

The various characteristics described above, as well as other features,will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used for like features throughoutthe several views. It is to be fully recognized that the differentteachings of the embodiments disclosed herein may be employed separatelyor in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

A simplified embodiment of the assembly of this application is depictedin FIG. 7. Suitably, the assembly comprises at least an upper twistmember 10 and a lower socket member 12. The twist member 10 and thesocket member 12 are suitably secured at a predetermined elevationwherein the central axis of members 10 and 12 are aligned in order tohold and secure a substantially straight pole 5.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a twist member 10 of the first support isprovided. Suitably, the twist member 10 is a tubular type object havingan outer wall and an inner wall with open ends and an open angled slot18. As shown, the ends of the twist member 10 are generally C-shaped sothat the wall of the twist member 10 comprises a non-straight openingalong its length through the open angled slot 18. In one embodiment, theopen angled slot 18 is formed near the center of the twist member 10 atan angle of about 35° in relation to the central axis A-A of the twistmember 10. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a pole can bepassed through the sidewalls of the twist member 10 through the openangled slot 18.

As depicted in the figures, the length of the twist member 10 is greaterthan the diameter of the pole 5 being installed there through. Inaddition, the inner diameter of the twist member 10 is greater than theouter diameter of the pole 5 to be inserted there through. Suitably, theinner diameter of the twist member 10 is up to about ⅛ greater than theouter diameter of the pole 5 to be inserted there through. In addition,the open angled slot 18 comprises a width greater than the outerdiameter of the pole being installed through the twist member 10.Although not necessarily limited to a particular width, the open angledslot 18 suitably comprises a width up to about ⅛ greater than the widthof a corresponding pole 5. Although the twist member 10 may be built toscale, a typical twist member 10 for use with commercially availableflagpoles comprises a length of about 15.24 cm (about 6.0 inches).Likewise, the wall thickness of the twist member 10 is dependant on thematerial(s) from which the twist member is constructed.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a simplified socket member 12 of thesecond support is provided. Suitably, the socket member 12 is a tubulartype object having a first open end 20 and a second closed end 22, theclosed end 22 being operationally configured to hold the pole 5. Inaddition, the inner diameter of the socket member 12 is greater than theouter diameter of the pole 5 to be inserted into the socket member 12.In a suitable embodiment, the inner diameter of the socket member 12 isup to about ⅛ greater than the outer diameter of the pole 5 to beinserted into the socket member 12. Although the socket member 12 may bebuilt to scale, a typical socket member 12 for use with commerciallyavailable flagpoles comprises a length of about 15.24 cm (about 6.0inches). Likewise, the wall thickness of the socket member 12 isdependant on the material(s) from which the twist member is constructed.

Suitably, the twist member 10 and the socket member 12 are constructedfrom one or more materials effective to secure a pole in a desiredposition. Likewise, the twist member 10 and the socket member 12 areconstructed from one or more materials including but not necessarilylimited to those materials resistant to chipping, cracking, excessivebending and reshaping as a result of ozone, weathering, heat, moisture,and other outside mechanical and chemical influences. Suitablematerials, include, for example a metal such as aluminum and athermoplastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”).

Suitably, the assembly can be mounted to numerous surfaces. In oneembodiment, the assembly is mounted at a predetermined height on asurface whereby the twist member 10 is set at a point above and inlinewith the socket member 12. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the central axisof the twist member 10 is aligned with the central axis of the socketmember 12 so to receive a substantially straight pole 5. A suitablesurface as referenced herein includes an RV, more particularly, an RVladder.

An assembly attached to the ladder of an RV can be seen in FIG. 8. Asshown, the twist member 10 is secured to the upper part of the RV ladderwith the socket member 12 attached at a point on the RV ladder below andin vertical alignment with the twist member 10. It is hereincontemplated that the first support and second support further comprisea mounting means for securing the twist member 10 and socket member 12to various types of surfaces as required by a particular surfaceconfiguration. In an embodiment including securing the assembly to an RVladder, a suitable mounting means for mounting the twist member 10 andsocket member 12 includes a multi-positional mount bracket and channelclamp assembly. Other embodiments may include using hose clamps orequivalent attachment means known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

A simplified illustration of a mounting means including amulti-positional mount bracket and channel clamp assembly for mounting asocket member 12 to an RV ladder is provided in FIG. 14. As shown, thesocket member 12 is attached to a first side of a multi-positional mountbracket 16, while a channel clamp 26 is attached to the opposite side ofthe multi-positional mount bracket 16. Suitably, the channel clamp 26 isoperationally configured to fasten to a rung or similar part of an RVladder. In one embodiment, the channel clamp 26 includes a “C” clampoperationally configured to snap onto a rung or similar part of an RVladder. In another embodiment, the channel clamp 26 includes a “C” clampfurther having straps 28 for securing the clamp 26 to a rung or similarpart of an RV ladder 50—as shown in FIG. 15.

The channel clamp 26 may be fixed to the multi-positional mount bracket16, or in the alternative the channel clamp 26 may be releasablyattached to the multi-positional mount bracket 16. As shown in FIG. 16,the channel clamp 26 may be releasably attached to the multi-positionalmount bracket 16 using a locking bolt 30. Although not necessarilylimited to a particular material or materials, suitable multi-positionalmount brackets 16 and channel clamps 26 are constructed from known mountbracket and clamp materials. The multi-positional mount brackets 16 mayalso be disassembled as shown in the figures.

Suitably, the multi-positional mount bracket 16 can be rotated toaccommodate the possible different angles of attachment oftenencountered on RV ladders. As FIG. 16 illustrates, the multi-positionalmount bracket 16 suitably comprises engaging inner working membershaving a plurality of gear-like teeth 32 arranged in a generallycircular pattern. The multi-positional mount bracket 16 can beconfigured so that as the channel clamp 26 is rotated, the locking bolt30 is also rotated which further rotates an inner working member joinedto the locking bolt 30 within the multi-positional mount bracket 16. Theteeth 32 of the inner working member allow the multi-positional mountbracket 16 to be rotated and fixed in a desired position, which furtherallows for the adjustment or rotation of the channel clamp 26 asillustrated in FIG. 17. Thus, in one embodiment, the twist member 10 andthe socket member 12 may be secured to rungs of a RV ladder whereby thecentral axis of the rungs are perpendicular to the central axis of thepole 5 to be secured by the assembly. In another embodiment, the twistmember 10 and the socket member 12 may be secured to rungs of a RVladder whereby the central axis of the rungs are not perpendicular tothe central axis of the pole 5 to be secured by the assembly.

Discussion of the Method for Installing a Pole

The application is further directed to a method employing the aboveassembly for installing, securing, and removing a pole, such as aflagpole. Generally, once the twist member 10 and socket member 12 aresecured to a support, the first step in the installation of a pole 5involves directing a first end of the pole 5 through the side of thetwisting member 10 at the open angled slot 18 at an angle ofapproximately 35°—as illustrated in FIG. 9. Once the pole 5 has beeninserted through the open angled slot 18, the second end of the pole 5can be directed toward the socket member 12. As the second end of thepole 5 moves toward the socket member 12 (as shown in FIG. 10) thesection of the pole 5 within the twisting member 10 naturally followsthe inside curvature created by the non-straight opening along thelength of the twisting member through the open angled slot 18 until thecentral axis of the pole 5 is substantially aligned with the centralaxis of the twist member 10—as shown in FIG. 11. It is hereincontemplated that in another embodiment the pole 5 can be directedtoward socket member 12 while simultaneously directing the pole 5through the twisting member 10—as illustrated by the direction of thearrows in FIG. 10.

Once aligned, the pole 5 can be directed toward the socket member 12whereby the pole 5 is suitably held elevated by the closed end 22 of thesocket member 12—as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. To remove the pole 5 fromthe assembly, the above described steps can be reversed. It is hereincontemplated that the above described method can be accomplished by oneor more persons standing on the ground or floor next to the assembly.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that manymodifications may be made to the present application without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the application. The embodiment(s)described herein are meant to be illustrative only and should not betaken as limiting the invention, which is defined in the claims.

1. A method of installing a flag pole to a secured position, the methodcomprising the following steps: providing an assembly comprising a firstsupport comprising a tubular member and a first mounting means forsecuring said first support to a first surface, said first mountingmeans featuring a multi-positional rotating mount bracket for rotatingsaid tubular member; and a second support comprising a socket member anda second mounting means for securing said second support to a secondsurface, said tubular member comprising an open angled slot; said socketmember comprising a tube having a first open end and a second closed endsaid second closed end operationally configured to hold the flag polewhen said pole is inserted in said socket member, said socket memberfurther comprising an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter ofthe pole to be inserted into the socket member; rotating said tubularmember via said multi-positional rotating mount bracket to align saidtubular member with said socket member; directing a first end of thepole through the open angled slot at an oblique angle in relation to thecentral axis of the tubular member of said first support; directing asecond end of the pole toward the second support until the central axisof the pole is substantially aligned with the central axis of thetubular member of the first support; finally, directing the pole towardthe second support whereby the pole is held by the socket member.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the assembly is attached to an RV ladder. 3.The method of claim 1 wherein the pole can be directed toward the secondsupport while simultaneously directing the pole through the tubularmember of said first support.